practical stem -- how big? how far? how wide?
TRANSCRIPT
Sharon BowersNational Institute of Aerospace
• Explore relationships between S-T-E-M
• Explore NASA and NIA resources that support integrative STEM instruction
• Model integrated STEM instruction
Today’s Objectives
How big is the moon?
How far away is the moon?
How far?
How are craters formed?
•How do you think lunar craters are formed?
•What do you think are factors that affect the appearance and size of craters and eject?
How are craters formed?
Cratering• Drop impactor #1 from a height of 30 cm onto the prepared surface.• Measure the diameter and depth of the resulting crater.• Ejecta? Count the rays, measure, and determine the average length
of all rays.• Record measurements and any other observations.• Make three trials and compute the mean.• Repeat with impactor #1, increasing the drop heights to 60 cm, 90
cm, and 2 meters.• What else do you wonder?
Impact Craters
Measuring Craters• How do you measure the area of
an irregular shape?
Impact Craters
Measuring Craters From a Distance
• How can you measure the scale of a lunar image?
Impact Craters
Exploring the Moon
Moon Math Supplemental GuideStudents will:
1) approximate the area and volume of a classroom-made crater, 2) calculate and compare thescale of lunar craters to classroom craters, and 3) observe how the size, mass, and angle of impact of a projectile affect the area andvolume of a crater.
Moon Math: Craters!
Crater Probability• Suppose that over a period of 100,000 years, four
asteroids struck the lunar surface.
• What would be the probability that they would strike an already-cratered area, or the lunar mare, where there are few craters?
Impact Craters
http://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Where’s the STEM?
Science – the study of the physical world; driven by a question
Technology – the application of scientific and engineering knowledge
to achieve a practical result.
Engineering – the creation of the designed world; driven by societal need
Mathematics – bridges science and engineering
Innovation – Creation of something new
LCROSS Mission
Mathematics –
Science – Gravity, Laws of Motion, Moon, Chemistry
Technology –
Innovation –
Mathematicians
Scientists& Engineers
Engineers, Technicians& Scientists
Engineers & many other professions & skills
Carried out by:
Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus
Un-crewed missions for lunar exploration
Rockets, Satellites, Cameras, Computers, Communications
This lesson
Mathematics –
Science – Moon properties, gravity
Technology –
Innovation –
Mathematicians
Scientists& Engineers
Engineers, Technicians& Scientists
Engineers & many other professions & skills
Carried out by:
Scale, area, measurement
Impactor launcher
LCROSS
The Milky Way . . . how big is big?
If our entire solar system could be shrunk down to the size of a quarter, the Milky Way Galaxy, which is approximately 10,000 light- years in width, would be the width of the continental United States!